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COAL. 71
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The
Ranigunj coal-field is the largest and most important of the areas in
which coal is worked in India. Its proximity to the main line of
railway, and also to the port of Calcutta, tends to give it
preeminence over other less favourably situated localities. The total
area of coal-bearing rocks which is exposed is about 500 square miles;
but it is possible that the real area may be even double that, since on
the east the rocks dip under and are completely concealed by alluvium.
Throughout this area a central zone includes the principal mines, and
the chimneys which dot this tract constitute it the Black Country of
India. In the year 1774 coal was known to occur there, and so long ago
as 1777 was actually worked. In 1830 several collieries of considerable
extent had been opened out and were, we have reason to believe, in a
flourishing condition.
In 1872, forty-four mines were at work, nineteen of which turned out upwards of 10,000 tons each per annum. At
the present time (1879) there are about six principal European
companies engaged in the extraction of coal, while many minor firms
and native associations contribute to swell the total amount raised.
Formerly
a large proportion of the coal was obtained by open workings and
quarries; but at the present day most of the seams which were
accessible in this way have been exhausted, and regular mining is now
carried on with more or less system.* The miners are, however,
individually, in some cases, allowed a degree of freedom, or rather
licence, which would never be permitted in European mines. They chiefly
belong to two races, the Bhowries and the Sontals— the former using the
pick, while the latter cannot be * Some of the mines are now admirably managed.
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